Dance logos can be difficult to design. People have been trying to capture the fluidity of dance in still images since the invention of cave paintings. But even though the challenge is real, you’ll want the logo for your dance business to capture your passion for dancing—people will see it on your business cards, website and flyers after all. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ll teach you some moves to give your dance logo the right spin.

Because your business is all about dance, you definitely want your logo to show movement. Speed lines, bodies in active poses, and dynamic angles will all contribute to making your dance logo, well … dance.

But if your studio isn’t targeted to one specific person, you want to make the logo feel welcoming to all. Try not to be too specific with the illustration. You want anyone to be able to see themselves in this logo, no matter their age, race or gender.

The “V-Man” is a popular choice for this reason, but you might want to consider alternatives for your dance logo and create something unique. Dynamic shapes and lines are a fantastic solution for dance studios looking for a logo full of movement that makes people feel like dancing at first glance.

A logo for a dance instructor should be aspirational. Your potential clients are hoping to become better dancers (otherwise, would they be coming to you?). The goal is to show them how well they will dance. But you can’t go overboard, like you would for a dance team logo; it needs to feel reasonable, too, for an untrained person to achieve.

You’re not shooting for realism, but you do want realistic. This can be tough to keep in mind for someone with years of dance experience. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a second opinion or collaborator to work with you on your dance logo. They can give you a layman’s opinion.

If you’re a dancer (or dance team), it makes sense to show yourself. An illustration or a stylized photograph is a great foundation for your dance logo. Just remember, you’re going to be living with this logo for a long time. Choose your iconography (outfits, hairstyle, position) very carefully. You don’t want to wear a dress that’ll be outdated in a month.

If your product is meant to appeal to professional dancers, showing a great dancer still makes sense. Your logo is a kind of proof of concept, helping them visualize how cool they’ll look and feel in your gear.

Choose a font that matches the mood and theme of the illustration. The text can say as much as the pictures in making it feel elegant, edgy or fun. Try incorporating the text with the illustration by using matching colors and shapes. You can even add motion lines that make it feel continuous.

Not every dance-oriented company is designed for pro dancers. Some people dance just for fun, and you may want to cater to that market.

If you’re a venue for dancing, show what makes you unique. Is your location unusual or exciting? Do you offer food and drink options? What’s the style of the place? Are you going for elegance or street cool? These are all valid choices; just be sure to consider them when designing your dance logo.

While you’re showing off all the amenities and extras, don’t forget to show dancing. And, as with the dance instructor logos, be sure to make it feel welcoming to the casual dancer, rather than just the pros.

What makes your company unique? Are you offering services for children? The disabled? The elderly? Are you teaching a special style of dancing? Use these differences in your logo to separate yourself from the crowd.

As always, focus on the motion. What will your clients be doing?

The font you choose will contribute to the tone, of course. If you’re teaching pole dancing as a form exercise and self-expression, an elegant font will let people know that there’s nothing salacious about your business. If your service is about healing, pastels and earth tones feel healthy and warm.

Wordmarks are logos composed entirely of words, with no pictures. They’re minimalist, cool and modern, but it’s a bold move to not show a dancer in your dance logo. Which makes the logo unique, and therefore more memorable.

With no pictures, font and layout become incredibly important. Choose the font carefully to convey the mood and style you want. Bold and colorful gets right in your face; thin lines and curvy text add a touch of class.

No matter what you choose, active lines or smooth curves are helpful. They feel like dancing, even without the dancer present. Don’t be afraid to arrange the words in an unusual, active way. As long as the reader can figure out in what order to read the words (which, in most languages, means working from top left to bottom right), you’re golden.

Do the logo tango
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Your logo should be able to express your love and passion for dance and hopefully, this article has given you some ideas of where to begin. In the world of dance you’re an artist who’s chosen to use your body as your medium, rather than pen and paints. But designing a logo requires an entirely different set of skills, that’s why is great to team up with an expert. A professional designer will help you figure out what your logo should look like and can create something that encapsulates the style and feel of your dance business.

Ready to take the first steps on the branding dance floor?

Let our designers create a logo that makes you want to dance the night away.

The author

Matthew T. Price has written on art, design, and cinema for websites such as The Daily Trojan, The Horror Honeys, Work in Entertainment, and more. He's also a filmmaker, having shot over two dozen short films, and a feature film, Other Halves. His work can be found at www.LittleToyBoat.com.